Following the January 24 announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)has affirmed its controversial ruling which mandates that almost all employer health plans fully cover contraception, sterilization procedures and abortion-inducing drugs, Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan expressed outrage that both the U.S. Constitution and the clearly expressed position of the Church were being ignored by an out of control administration. In this unprecedented confrontation between the Roman Catholic Church and the federal government (see video), Archbishop Dolan called on Americans to bring the issue to their elected officials.

In agreement with Archbishop Dolan, Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, argued (here and here) that HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius's claims of "balance" between considerations of religion and Planned Parenthood ideology were absurd. Sebelius's refusal to adequately weigh the concerns of religious organizations leaves the only remaining recourse to be the federal courts or the November elections. Read remainder of article.